Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
06:59
Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
Published on: August 20, 2014
14.5K
Common themes and differences in SAM recognition among SAM riboswitches.
Ian R Price1, Jason C Grigg1, Ailong Ke1
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 28, 2014
Summary
Riboswitches are RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Three S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) riboswitch families evolved distinct ways to recognize SAM, offering insights into gene regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Riboswitches are cis-acting RNA regulatory elements discovered recently.
- They have significantly altered our understanding of genetic regulation.
- S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) riboswitches are prevalent, with three distinct superfamilies.
Approach:
- This review summarizes current research on SAM riboswitches.
- It covers their gene regulatory mechanisms.
- It examines ligand recognition and conformational dynamics.
Key Points:
- Three SAM riboswitch superfamilies represent independent evolutionary solutions for SAM binding.
- Commonalities and differences in ligand recognition across families are highlighted.
- Ligand-induced conformational changes are crucial for regulatory function.
Conclusions:
- SAM riboswitches provide a model system for understanding gene regulatory RNAs.
- Their study offers a primer on the broader field of regulatory RNAs.
- This review contributes to the Special Issue on Riboswitches.
Related Concept Videos
01:56Riboswitches
8.0K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
8.0K
01:29Translational Regulation
872
Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
872
01:23Types of RNA
61.3K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
61.3K
01:20Types of RNA
13.9K
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
13.9K
01:23Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches
1.2K
Riboswitches are RNA elements that regulate gene expression by altering their secondary structures in response to specific effector molecules. These elements, located in the leader regions of certain mRNAs, act as transcriptional regulators by toggling between alternative conformations to control downstream gene expression. Riboswitch-mediated regulation is a precise mechanism for modulating biosynthetic pathways, as exemplified by the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Bacillus...
1.2K
02:47Ribozymes
10.0K
The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
Ribozymes can...
10.0K